HARM OCD

Hey!! I used to suffer pretty badly from this. I have 4 children, so it sucks. I had it HORRIBLE when Sandy Hook happened so I can totally relate to what you're feeling now. I will say though I am SOOOOO much better. I did ERP with NOCD and worked with a therapist. It's soooo worth it. ERP is scary, but it's a must. You've got to remember that thoughts are just that, thoughts. For instance, I can think about working out, fantasize and visualize myself at the gym working out to get skinny, but at the end of the day I don't go. I stay home and eat ice cream. Bottom line is - we are what our actions show. You're in charge of your actions, not your thoughts. Just let them come and go. It's hard for sure, but it does get better. I say this as a person who would drive around for hours with my son in the car waiting for my husband to get home bc I didn't want to be home alone with him.... (Even though I'm driving in a car alone?? Haha OCD doesn't make sense). I'm also saying this as a person who didn't eat or sleep because I was afraid I'd go crazy and off everyone at night. This is coming from someone who refused to be alone with my children, elderly patients or anyone I felt was weaker than me, just Incase I could ya know ... Snap and hurt them. This is also coming from someone who avoided church, made myself busy so I couldn't have time to think, didn't play with my children bc I was afraid, didn't look at pictures of them bc I was afraid thoughts would come.... you want to know what I lost from my fear? TIME. I lost time with my children and I can NEVER get that back. Don't let OCD fear steal that from you, because that's what it's doing. Pray, let it go to God. The bible has so many verses concerning mental health. It helped me so much. Lastly, give yourself grace. From a former sufferer, there is healing. I promise bc I've experienced it and am living it. Also medication - it can help, but don't make it your front line defense. ERP and counseling is the way to go.

I feel this too girl. I had a bad episode of ocd 10 years ago and didn’t know what it was. I thought it was anxiety. Then it went away and in February I got COVID. Then boom there it was again. I started researching and realized it’s ocd not just typical anxiety. I’ve reached out to nocd and have my first appointment on Monday with a therapist. I want to thank you for sharing your fears because it helps to see others going through it with you. Although I’m so sorry you are. It’s so awful. So many triggering things in this world too. Sending you love mama, we will get through this!

Medication, therapy, ERP, sleep, and a healthy lifestyle have all helped me. It is absolutely normal to feel triggered by the horrific tragedy in Texas. Use the thoughts you are experiencing to practice ERP. Here is a great resource you can use when you find yourself ruminating: https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/how-to-stop-ruminating/ Those with OCD have a higher sensitivity to tragedies and the emotions/thoughts everyone experiences when they happen. This does not make you a monster, it makes you a highly empathetic human. Allow yourself the space to feel those emotions as a way to connect with all the families affected but do not focus your attention on your ruminations.

I’m also feeling very very triggered by the event that happened this week and I’ve been having an awful time with Intrusive thoughts. I just got my meds upped so I’m praying that take affect soon.